Leah did not hesitate for a second before she refused. "I'm sorry, Mr. Diakos but I refused."
What kind of ridiculous request was this? She had once been Leon's fiancée. For her pretending to be Nico’s fiancée was already absurd enough, let alone playing the role of his wife.
Nico took slow, deliberate steps toward her. His imposing presence pressed down on her. When he finally stopped in front of her, she instinctively held her breath.
“Why not?” he asked.
Leah lowered her eyes to avoid looking directly into his eyes and she stammered as she explained, “You’re an outstanding man … You should have plenty of wealthy socialites eager to marry you. I don’t deserve it. I’ve been in prison .…”
Her voice grew weaker and she swallowed back the last part of her sentence she was she blurted out that she had also given birth to a child.
Nico’s voice was low and firm. It brushed against her ear like a tangible force. “What if I told you that I have evidence proving you were framed?”
Leah’s head snapped up. “Who was it? Who set me up?”
Nico did not answer immediately. Instead, he handed her a phone. “Tonight’s video has been synced to this device. Think it over and call me when you’ve made a decision. I’m going to rest now.”
As Leah made her way downstairs, she ran into Leon who was coming up the stairs. Their eyes met and he was the first to speak. “Where were you?”
Leah answered without hesitation. “I'm getting some water.”
“The third floor is my uncle’s space. Even if he doesn’t stay here often, you shouldn’t be wandering up there.”
“Oh, okay.”
Without another word, she brushed past him. She did not even spare him a second glance.
Leon felt the fire inside him blaze even hotter. “Stop right there!”
Leah paused and turned back. She noticed the marks on his neck. They were blatant evidence of his recent indulgence. He acted as if he was flaunting a trophy.
"What is it?" Leah asked indifferently.
“Three years ago … Did you also ‘accidentally’ enter the wrong room?”
Leah found his question ridiculous. Without much thought, she replied, “I don’t remember,” and walked away.
Leon gritted his teeth, his fingers tightened around the staircase railing as he watched her retreating figure.
She was nothing but a disgrace, so why did she still have the power to enrage him? Why did he keep subjecting himself to this frustration?
Frustrated, he stormed into his room, where Ella clung to him, demanding another round. However, no matter how rough he was, an image of Leah’s cold, detached expression kept flashing through his mind.
***
Meanwhile, Leah lay in bed while staring at the phone screen. The only number saved in the contacts belonged to Nico.
She had searched for the orphanage’s number and called to inquire about her child, only to learn that the child had already been adopted.
She had no power or influence. She couldn’t even bring her own child home.
Tossing and turning all night, she finally made a decision. At precisely seven o'clock in the morning, Leah dialed Leon’s number.
“Have you made up your mind?” he asked.
“Yes. However, I have three conditions.”
Leah had thought it through. If playing along with Nico’s act for a short time could buy her freedom for the rest of her life, she was willing to take the gamble.
“Alright, name them.”
"First, after sixteen days, I want to disappear without a trace from Starry City. Second, I want your help to find a kid named John. She was taken from Harmony Orphanage two years ago."
Leon’s fingers tightened around his phone. “A child? You have a child?”
Leah let out a bitter laugh. “I told you I don’t deserve this. If you can’t agree, just pretend I never said anything.”
“I agree.” His response was immediate. “However, these conditions are too easy. I think you should ask for one more thing.”
Leah bit her lip. She already felt like she was asking for too much, what was wrong with him?
“What?”
Nico who was flipping through Leah’s prison records, suddenly felt a surge of anger burning in his chest. His eyes darkened with a dangerous glint.
